Collapsible cradle blotter



June zo, 1944.

F. s'rRAus coLLAPsIBLE CRADLE BLoTTEn Filed May 1o, 194s Patented June Z0, 1944 OFFICE i COLLAPSIBLEI CRADLE BLOTTER Frieda straus, chicago', n1. Q y application Mayu, 1943, seria1N0.4s6,331

""""i,o1aii1lf (01.120-24) This invention relates to a novel and unique collapsible cradle blotter.

One of the essential objects of this invention is to provide a cradle blotter which is inexpensive in its construction, and is readily collapsible for convenience in shipmentl and storage and the like, and is also readily extendible into cradle form for convenient use.

Another object of this invention is to arrange and shape the construction so that the collapsible cradle blotter can be easily and economically manufactured, which is preferably accomplished by providing a lower cradle part along with an upper handle part, as well as bendable brace means therebetween, all provided from one strip or one piece of sheet-like material.

A further object of this invention is to provide and to arrange such a form of economical cradle blotter which is adapted to be made from one strip or sheet of fibrous material, so that it may be made of cardboard, and have several extra sheets of blotting material provided under the lower cradle part, as indicated in Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawing, and it may likewise be made wholly from one strip or sheet of highly absorbent brous material, as blotting material, as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8.

These and various other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein the invention is shown in two of the preferred forms, it being evident that other arrangements and forms of construction may be resorted to for carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan View illustrating a sheet of material from which this collapsible cradle blotter is made, in its preferred form, including several extra blotting sheets provided on the lower section.

Fig. ,2 is a top plan View of this form, showing the lower section under the top section with its end secured thereto, and the two sections collapsed together.

Fig. 3 is a side View of this form collapsed.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of this form with the sections placed apart in the operative cradle form.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view thereof, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken on line 6--5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view, showing the in- 'vention in an operative position andv asv embodied in a slightly modified form whichl consists of one piece or sheet of blotting material.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view thereof, taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

This collapsible cradle blotter is preferably made from one strip or piece of sheet-like material which is arranged to comprise the lower blotting part or cradle section I0 and also the upper handle part or section I I being integral at one end, and said sections being folded or doubled over and have the originally separated ends secured together. This is preferably accomplished by providing an end portion I2 of one section with adhesive means I3, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 5 by the lip I2 provided on the lower section I0, and thus securing said portion I2 onto the end part of section Il.

One of these sections is provided with brace means thereon, which includes one or more portions bendable into engagement with the other sections; and this is preferably done by providing side portions or Wings I4 integral on the upper section II and extending outward beyond the lower section I0, said wings being deflned `by forming indentations or score lines I5 on section I I, so that these wings or portions I4 can be readily bent on these lines inward and downward into engagement with the lower section I0 and form brace means therebetween and retain them in the operative cradle shape. Said wings thus also form part of the handle to be engaged by the hand, and they are readily retracted to place them with the sections in the collapsed position again.

The outer part of each wing I4 is preferably also provided with a notch I6, to facilitate the convenient grasping of the handle part Il by the thumb and a :linger of the hand.

This cradle blotter is preferably made from a sheet or strip of fibrous material, which may consist of cardboard, as indicated in Figs. l to 6; and it may likewise consist of highly absorbent material, as the usual blotting material, as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8, thereby providing one blotting sheet by the lower section I0'.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the lower section I Il has several extra blotting layers or blotters I'I provided thereunder, thus providing a longer life and greater usefulness of the device. Said layers II may be mounted or secured to section l0 in any convenient manner, as for example by attaching them by adhesive means I8 at their ends onto one another and underneath said section I0. The adhesive means is provided to a less citent on each layer outwardly than on the preceding layer inward thereof, as best Y indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, so as to facilitate tearing away each outside layer in succession, while the inward layers are adhered more extensively and remain in position under section l0. 1

The form of cradle blotter shown in Figs. 7 and 8, like the above described form, comprises the lower section or part I0 and the upper Vs ecf tion or part Il which are integral at one end` and have at the other end the lip I2'b secured/in place. Likewise, the wings I4' `extend integral from the sides of upper section l Iand are bendable on lines I5 into engagementfwith the lower` other end, thus including a lower cradle part and also an upper handle part thereon which are collapsible one onto the other, said handle-part being provided with a pair ,of score vlines/,and with integral oval-shaped side wings outward thereof that are,.reav.dily bendable downward and inward on said linesto slant inwardly and bear against the cradle part, whereby to serve as brace meansbetween said two parts and retain them rmly in the operative cradle form, said wings being provided each with a notch to facilitate grasping the handle part with its wings by a vfinger and the thumb of the hand manipulating V'this blotter, and said cradle part being provided with a, plurality of blotting layers secured at their ends with adhesive means toits nether side, the adhesive means being provided to a less extent on each layer downward than on the preceding layer, to facilitate tearing away each 20 outside layer in succession FRIEDA STRAUS. 

